A Day at the Creek

{Click on a photo to open a larger slideshow of all photos. Click the box with the X to return to this blog page when you're done.}

:: Highlights according to Evan and Chloe ::

:: we watched damselflies mating
:: we found a dead fish and held it (even though we were grossed out by it)
:: we swam in the 'pool' by the small waterfall
:: we wandered really far from mom to explore
:: we found walking sticks
:: we discovered rocks that turn to clay when they are wet
:: we jumped from rock to rock (and only slipped twice)
:: we navigated slimy moss-covered rapids
:: we declared our own spaces as islands
:: we floated our flip-flops in the water but always caught them
:: we squished our toes into the stinky gooey gunk
:: we played in the water until we shivered and then went back in again
:: we found old bricks, a feather, pretty rocks, and a fork
:: we ate a picnic on the rocks (where the fork came in handy)
:: we found a dead bumblebee
:: we found pretty flowers
:: we didn't want to leave -- five hours wasn't enough

Bits & Pieces :: Early June

:: chess 24/7 ::

:: how math just happens in everyday life for unschoolers ::

:: new haircut ::

:: running on shadow lines ::

:: resting on a big kid perch ::

:: solving Hidden Picture puzzles ::

{Thanks Gramma!!}

:: coloring together ::

 :: making paper horses ::

{Thanks for the idea Leslie!!}

:: tickle fights with Dad ::

:: having a pretend camp-out on the deck ::

Love for Ruby

Ruby hates to be picked up or held, but in a family with kids she really doesn't have that option.

Rabbit Stalkers

At bedtime I spotted a baby bunny in the backyard and called the kids to come see.  Not content to just look out the window, they went right out and started sneaking up on it.

Chloe still had a bedtime book tucked under her arm.

They were pretty close to it, and I know how badly they both wanted to touch it.

But it was not interested.  At least we saved it from being dinner for our savage cat.

Trail to the Creek

A little hiking expedition was in order when we heard that rain was in the forecast for several days.  Off to our favorite playground and the trail in the woods behind it.

Todd took the kids here just the week before and they really wanted to show me their "clubhouse" and how to get to "Papa's creek" (Walnut Creek is near my dad's house so obviously the whole thing is his).

They ran ahead while Bryce and I strolled behind.  The signs point the way to the creek, but kids who've been here before don't really need signs anyway.  "This is the way!!! Follow me!!!  It's right here past this tree!!!"

Lots of the trail has boardwalks to get past muddy, marshy, swampy parts.  But other places are straight hiking.

It was so pretty with the sun coming through the trees.

They didn't linger very long at their "clubhouse" so no photos of that, but we soon after found the creek and that is where we spent the next couple hours.

They threw rocks, examined rocks, moved rocks around, climbed on rocks, jumped from rock to rock....

{Chloe made bridges here}

{Amazingly no wet shoes!}

{Rock-skipping master... well, almost.}

Watching them explore the creek is always such a thrill for me. My youth is full of such sights, smells and sounds. 

Hopefully they will have this imprint on their hearts too.

Sprinkler

Tree Climbing

Over at Bryce and Chris's house there is a Japanese maple with fantastic low branches.  Last week we dropped by to play and the kids explored the tree.

There were lots of little perches and spots to claim as their own.  They declared it a kingdom, and themselves the rulers.  Naturally.

Evan loves showing off his strength and bravery.  Or maybe I should say Prince Evan loves battling evil forces that attempt to invade his tree kingdom. 

When they finally did come down to the ground again, they decided to hide their stuffed animals on the branches (this is one of their outside games they play at home all the time), and cousin Ajay got in on the action too.  Kitties everywhere!